If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Reply to Thread

Your Message

Please correctly re-type the phrase f o o t d o c t o r in the form box. Re-type it without the extra spaces and put the one space where it should be. We apologize for having to do this but this silliness helps slow the spammers.

Title:

Additional Options

Additional Options:

Automatically parse links in text

Topic Review (Newest First)

06-17-2011, 07:33 AM

erwinZ4

Originally Posted by bowlr

236,000 and still going.
So far, no major Engine work has needed to be done.

That's just great! I got my 2003 Z4 3.0 here in Belgium since new, but I only managed 126,000 km so far. This car runs like new, just like my wife's 320d touring with 140,000 km. When my wife's car needed some bodywork, she used my Z4 as a comuter while I used a Peugeot 407 with 120,000 km for a week. That way, you really appreciate the difference in quality: that other car felt like it was very tired indeed! I will probably never part from my Z4. It never needed anything other than maintenance except for a new windscreen after the rain sensor came undone. I had the 107 wheels painted in body colour (but mat) Sterling. In Belgium, we need to have our car assessed (brakes, tires, suspension, lights, steering...) every year when it turns four years old, and it never had any failure there. We are building a new house, and the garage has room for four cars, so even if I ever get an electric car, I will keep the Z4. The thing is always parked next to my house, under a carport and this has kept the roof fabric in very good statae so far!

Long time since I was on this board. I was very actice the months before I got the Z4 and the year or two after the purchase. But you know how things go, other things get your attention.

Ciao from Belgium!

01-26-2011, 03:30 PM

John Oo

Re: Lifetime, yep

None here, but I've got about half the miles you've got on your car. I'll keep a look out for it though and will report back if I find anything like you're experiencing.

01-10-2011, 03:59 PM

Teddy M

Re: Z4 longevity / high mileage

Hi

I've a 2004 Z4 2.5i SE with 90,000 miles on the clock... absolutely nothing has gone wrong with it so far...

I have it maintained by a main dealer and it has been 100% reliable. It's a great car to drive and I'm hard pressed to find a suitable replacement other than a Z4M.

Prior to this, I had a 320d SE Touring with a very high spec. I took this car up to 111,000 and only two problems, heater matrix replaced and air-con re-charged. Another great car.

BMW really do make fantastic cars.

12-02-2010, 02:52 AM

Dr._Spa

Re: Was the car inspected before you...

WHEW! I just sold me 03 with 92k miles....and got an 08 with 18k

11-30-2010, 08:05 AM

swanicyouth

Re: Lifetime, yep

Now I am at 123k and since my post my DISA valve went. My one ongoing issue is oil consumption. Im going through about one quart of German Castrol about every 1500 miles. I know BMW says that's within normal limits, but it seems kind of
high to me. However this car has always used oil, but it seems to be getting slowly worse, albeit very slowly. I'm guessing it's valve seals, as the ccv tests out fine. Any issues with oil consumption out there?

11-06-2010, 11:54 PM

prazzy4

Re: Z4 longevity / high mileage

COOLZ IS THAT YOU?!? How you doin you ole sea dog!! I should have known that was you, keeping that blue beauty goin so long! Still have my '03 baby too but not quite as up there in miles, about 95K and still running very strong. I've taken it easy on her but have had to commute in her quite a bit for the last 3 years or so. She's still a spring chicken still waiting for that ultimate run. No signs of age. Very little work but the coolant reservoir and that ticking thing when she starts, some valve. Brakes too. I need tires badly, that's why I'm on here, looking for recommendations for non runflats... Keep your Z as long as it keeps making you smile. Mine is still a DREAM PUFF!<img src="http://forums1.roadfly.com/preferences/showsigimage.php?img=72940">
3.0 Step
Merlot Beauty/Beige top/Beige extended
prem/conv/sport/Nav
rad mods ;) chrome tips, rubber mats, clear windblocker, chrome shark! grrrr!

11-01-2010, 12:54 AM

scottpettit

Was the car inspected before you...

purchased it? Most of the issues that you have described could / should have been found in an inspection.

Scott Pettit

10-28-2010, 10:10 AM

mikew

Re: Z4 longevity / high mileage

I bought a 2003 w/2.5 2 years ago with 99K on the clock. I wanted it just for driving in nice Florida weather. I've put 1800 miles on the car and replaced the following: a/c compressor, top motor, motor mount, valve cover-oil filter-& oil pan gaskets, rearview mirror control, 3 pulleys, water pump, airbag sensor and oil pump. There is an indicator light that needs replacing and it costs $400 alone and the latch on the center console broke last week which only the dealer is able to fix and this will cost $300. I have the work done at a non-dealer and so far has cost about $6K. This is a money pit. If you have 108K I would get rid of it quick if the problems I have are any indication.

07-27-2010, 12:05 PM

s-retire

Re: Lifetime, yep

same for the automatic. A little dubious, but the fluid will definitely last until contamination leads to reduced life of the transmission.

Lifetime, just my not so humble opinion.

I don't have a Z4, but my Z3 has a M54 motor and a A5S390R automatic that combination should be the same as the early Z4s. 190k with no major issues.

06-08-2010, 02:25 PM

John Oo

Re: Z4 longevity / high mileage

"The biggest thing I had to do was the trans after 220k. I didn't change the trans oil till 190k "

Was it auto or manual transmission that you had to replace?

If manual, I thought the trans fluid for it was good for lifetime - I have always thought that was suspect though. Lifetime?

05-30-2010, 04:09 PM

bowlr

Re: Z4 longevity / high mileage

236,000 and still going.
Yep, it costs a lot, but kinda worth it in my opinion. So far, no major Engine work has needed to be done. Of course, things wear out and need to be replaced such as bushings, shock mounts, belts, hoses, etc..
The biggest thing I had to do was the trans after 220k. I didn't change the trans oil till 190k and my mechanic said to be expecting the trans to go soon. He was right.
I have changed the nose a few times, windshield, tires, brakes and the top as well. The frame actually broke and so we just did the whole thing. I have had the seats re-upholstered, the headlights changed out, the instrument cluster changed. After 2 years of ownership, my drivers side was taken out by a Ford Focus, so that side was replaced.
So, if you take care of your car better than I have done so, it should last for quite a while.
Oh, 1/2 the time, I change the oil inbetween the 15k mileage and sometimes I don't. I also wait till after the gas light go on during the noral day to day driving I do to get gas. MY theory, no gunk can build up in the tank if you keep sucking it out..
2.5i Maldivas Blue, Tan top/interior, Step, convience & Premium packages.

03-29-2010, 09:09 PM

Joe

Re: Z4 longevity / high mileage

Scott

Only 14K on my 2004 3.0 so I really cant comment. Very little on my car outside of oil changes at this point.

Joe

03-26-2010, 01:34 PM

swanicyouth

Z4 longevity / high mileage

**** I have a 2003 Z4 5spd 2.5i going on 108,000 miles. I have had the car since 2006 & 18,000 miles. I enjoy reading this board, but don't really post. I was thinking of trading it in for an M Roadster or E89. I was wondering what others have experienced with their higher mileage Z4s as far as problems go. Not so much upgrades; but stuff that actually failed / broke. Maybe this can start a thread?

I'll give you a basic run down of mine (in no specific order): EPS unit (steering) & conv. top motor replaced under warranty (50K). After the warranty ran out I have done all mechanical work (minus tires, of course) myself:
Cam sensor replaced (55k), all belts replaced (60k), Power Flex control arm bushings (90k) (factory old ones were real loose), starter motor replaced with Bosch rebuild (77k), leaky valve cover gasket replaced (105k), replaced DT-ML pump/fuel cap/purge control solenoid/ & fixed broken wire in harness to it (106k) (SES light on), and a new Wal-Mart battery (106k).
Anyway, I think that is the major stuff. I replaced both brake sets a few times with PBR pads - and I still have the original rotors / calipers / hoses. Also, still on the original struts, springs, exhaust, ball joints, water pump, hoses, and radiator. I have been using Mobil 1 0W40 or Castrol 0 W 30 oil (BMW LL01 rated). Changed coolant (with BMW stuff) and brake fluid (Castrol) around 65k. At 70k I changed the Diff and manual tranny fluids with BMW dealer fluids.
I've had the 17" 10 spoke wheels "re-done" by Wheel Collision Center in Bath PA (they do nice work!) 4 or 5 times do to potholes and the horrible roads here in PA. I'm getting 25-30k out of each set of tires. I've had: factory runflats, Kumho ECSTAs (hated them), Vredestein (sp?)(loved them), & now BF Goodrich tires. For some reason this car goes through headlight bulbs FAST!
I love the car and it still drive great! I really don't want to trade it in, but I am just waiting for that huge repair I can't handle at home. I just took it on a 1,200 mile trip to Toronto and the only glitch was a blown head light bulb. Previously I had a Z3 & would only trade it in for an E85 M roadster (maybe a 3.0 si) or an E89 Z4.Would anyone like to post their repairs (water/fuel pumps, oil leaks, electronic issues, internal engine issues, etc...) and their mileage? I saw one guy on this board once with around 200k on his Z, - that's great! What's your experience? ***** Steve